Environmental Internship Program - 2019 Booklet
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Anthony Barnett ’21<br />
MECHANICAL AND AEROSPACE<br />
ENGINEERING<br />
NEW ENERGY FUTURE<br />
PROJECT TITLE<br />
Aerodynamic Flow Control<br />
on Cars to Improve Fuel<br />
Efficiency<br />
ORGANIZATION(S)<br />
Smits Fluid Mechanics<br />
Lab, Department<br />
of Mechanical and<br />
Aerospace Engineering,<br />
Princeton University<br />
LOCATION(S)<br />
Princeton, New Jersey<br />
MENTOR(S)<br />
Alexander Smits,<br />
Eugene Higgins Professor<br />
of Mechanical and<br />
Aerospace Engineering,<br />
Emeritus; Tyler Van Buren,<br />
Lab Manager, Mechanical<br />
and Aerospace Engineering<br />
I analyzed airflow over the body of a typical SUVtype<br />
automobile in order to assess the benefits<br />
of active flow control in reducing drag. More<br />
specifically, I worked on creating an SUV model<br />
that would simulate synthetic jets, which use<br />
piezoelectric drivers to generate air that is then<br />
alternately blown and sucked in response to the<br />
surrounding flow conditions. After designing<br />
and printing many different models, my research<br />
group successfully created one that allowed us<br />
to analyze the airflow around the vehicle and<br />
potentially simulate the effects of using synthetic<br />
jets to reduce drag. This internship taught me<br />
many technical skills, including computer-aided<br />
design and the use of fabrication equipment<br />
such as a drill press. The biggest takeaway was<br />
the experience I gained working in a research<br />
environment. This experience will undoubtedly<br />
propel me in my future as a student and scholar.<br />
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